Map | Aquarena Springs Drive overpass construction

Ongoing construction of a new railroad overpass will continue to pinch Aquarena Spring Drive from five lanes to two between Interstate 35 and Texas State University through late March.

Drivers are urged to find alternate routes to Aquarena Springs Drive (officially designated as Loop 82), one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares and a primary gateway to the university.

The lane closures, between Thorpe Lane and Charles Austin Drive, will continue “to lead to significant delays to residents who travel through the area,” said Laurie Moyer, the city’s Engineering and Capital Improvements department director.

El Paso-based Jordan Foster Construction LLC is the state transportation department’s construction contractor for the long-awaited overpass. Through-traffic will drive up and over two sets of busy Union Pacific railroad tracks via four 12-foot travel lanes separated by a four-foot median.

The overpass will be girded on both sides by two-lane access roads and six-foot-wide sidewalks. Also as part of the project, Post Road will be realigned to accommodate a new intersection with the overpass access roads.

The estimated cost is about $19.4 million, according to Texas Department of Transportation records. The Aquarena Springs overpass project is being funded through the state’s bridge fund, up to $25 million; a Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization appropriation of $1,250,000; and a contribution from the city of San Marcos of $5 million.

CORRECTION 5:37 p.m. MARCH 2: This story originally stated, erroneously, that the Aquarena Springs Drive overpass will traverse two sets of Union Pacific tracks. It is actually a single set of railroad tracks.